Special Needs

The branch libraries and other facilities of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System are accessible to all persons. The information on this site is designed to inform the public of resources to facilitate use of the Library by persons with disabilities, their families and care givers. Listed below are the equipment, collections and services that are available. If you have a question about a library service for persons with disabilities, please contact the Office of Public Services (301-699-3500).

Accessible Entrances

All branches and facilities in the Prince George's County Memorial Library System are accessible to persons with disabilities. With the exception of the facilities listed below, the main entrance is physically accessible to persons with disabilities.

Largo-Kettering Branch and Administrative Offices (9601 Capital Lane, Largo, MD) - The accessible entrance is located at the south side of the building, i.e. the far right of the main entrance. For Administrative Offices, call 301-699-3500 (8:30 am - 5:00pm, Monday through Friday) to arrange for entrance.

Books on Compact Disc

Books on CD, including most in an unabridged format, are available at all branches in all age-levels. Collection sizes vary according to the size of the facility. Books on CD may be obtained via telephone requests and are eligible for formal holds at no charge.

Large Print Books and Magazines

Large print books are available throughout the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. The Bowie, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Laurel, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill and Surratts-Clinton Branches have permanent collections of large print books and magazines; Accokeek, Baden, Beltsville, Bladensburg, Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Hillcrest Heights, Largo-Kettering, Mt. Rainier, Spauldings and Upper Marlboro Branches provide rotating collections of large print books. Large print books may be obtained via telephone requests and are eligible for formal holds at no charge.

Public Access Computers Equipped with Screen Enlargement Software

Zoomtext, a text enlargement program, is installed on one public access computer for use by persons with limited vision in the following branch libraries: Accokeek, Beltsville, Bowie, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, Laurel, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill and Surratts-Clinton. Zoomtext offers extensive help screens.

Public Access Computers Equipped with Screen Reading Software

JAWS, a screen reading program, is installed on one public access computer for use by persons with limited vision in the following branch libraries: Accokeek, Beltsville, Bowie, Greenbelt, Laurel, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill and Surratts-Clinton. JAWS offers extensive help screens; customers should provide their own headphones.

TTY (Teletypewriter)

A communications system employed by the Library connects TTY callers as well as callers who have access to computers equipped with standard modems and basic communications software with the Library System. The TTY system provides direct person-to-person telephone communications between all branches in the Library System and users of the Library who are deaf or have a speech and/or hearing impairment. The single number to reach all branches is 301-808-2061.

Closed Captioned DVDs

Several thousand closed captioned DVDs are available in library branches. To determine if a DVD is closed captioned, check the original box for a symbol in the form of a box with a tail or the letters "CC". To find closed-captioned DVDs in the Library Catalog, use the words "closed captioned" in a Simple Keyword Search/All words.

Optelec

PGCMLS offers the Optelec® CCTV (close circuit television) magnifier with Optical Character Reading (OCR) capabilities that will read aloud any print text for customers with related disabilities at 11 library branches. Accokeek, Beltsville, Bowie, Fairmount Heights, Glenarden, Greenbelt, Laurel, Largo-Kettering, Oxon Hill, Spauldings and Surratts-Clinton are the PGCMLS branches with this assistive technology. All public computers are equipped with the Microsoft Windows® magnifier.

Interpreting Services

PGCMLS provides interpreting services (American Sign Language) for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing for Library-sponsored programs and events. Requests for the service must be made at least two weeks in advance. Call 301-808-2061 (TTY) or the branch library where the event or program is taking place to place a request for the service.

Library materials are provided through this service to residents of nursing homes, retirement centers and to homebound customers either by mail or visitor volunteers. To apply for this service, please complete a Books by Mail application; or call Outreach Services at 301-699-3500 ext 6164; or email Outreach Services at outreach.services@pgcmls.info.

Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Provides comprehensive library services to the eligible blind and physically handicapped residents of the State of Maryland.